Gizzard harvesting apparatus and process

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for processing poultry gizzards at substantially high line speeds. A plurality of gizzards preferably with the stomach and intestines attached are directed in a random arrangement into a feeding and aligning station. Feed roll means at that station apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard along a predetermined path. Orienting means adjacent said feed roll means applys a second orienting force to each gizzard which cooperates with the first orienting force to orient each gizzard into a preselected position. Means are also provided to secure each gizzard in said preselected position. Means then remove the stomach and intestines from the tender lining of each gizzard. Slitting and spreader means slit and open each gizzard, and cleaning means flush the contaminants from the opened gizzards. Shearing means then engage and remove the residual tender lining from each gizzard, and peeling means peel the interior lining or membrane from the gizzards.

BACKGROUND AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus forprocessing poultry gizzards, and more particularly relates to animproved gizzard harvester and method of operation therefor whichautomatically processes poultry gizzards on a high-speed, massproduction basis.

The processing of poultry gizzards into condition for use andconsumption requires that the gizzards be opened and cleaned; thecontaminating contents removed; the stomach and gut or intestinestrimmed off the gizzard; and the interior lining or membrane skinned offand discarded. These steps are necessary because the processed gizzardsmust pass rigorous quality and hygiene standards imposed by the industryand by governmental agencies and regulations. If any of the abovetreatments are not thoroughly and properly completed, the resultingproduct may be of low quality, or may be contaminated so as to failinspection. There is thus a constant search for improvements in themethod and apparatus for processing gizzards which would meet therigorous quality and hygiene standards applicable in this field.

Other requirements for harvesting gizzards are that the activity must beconducted efficiently and economically on a high-speed, mass productionbasis, with a minimum of hand labor. The high speeds are necessary sothat the harvester apparatus and process handles gizzards at a speedwhich is compatible with the increasingly higher line speeds utilized inmodern poultry processing plants. For example, poultry processing plantline speeds have increased in recent times from approximately 50 unitsper minute to 70 to 75 units per minute. The expectation is that linespeeds will be raised even higher in the future, because of thepressures of economics and the need for increased efficiency.

To perform these gizzard processing functions at such high-speed levels,the functions of the machine and process must be integrated for a smoothand continuous operation, and the utilization of hand labor must beminimized. Moreover, whatever manual labor that is needed should beunskilled labor. In addition, the processing apparatus should be compactin design, to operate within a minimum space within a poultry processingplant. Likewise, all of the needed processing steps should be performedwith a minimum number of machines. The process and apparatus should alsominimize the gizzard rejects and thereby increase the yield from theprocessing operation.

Prior gizzard harvesting apparatus and processes which have attempted tomeet the foregoing criteria, have met with varying degrees of success.The present invention meets these criteria by providing an improvedapparatus and process which handles poultry gizzards on a massproduction basis with a minimum of unskilled hand labor, and with acompact design which permits the processing to be accomplished atsubstantially high line speeds. For example, the present inventionminimizes hand labor requirements by providing an apparatus and processwhich operate on gizzards having the stomachs and intestines attached.Thus, the hand labor needed to cut off the stomach and/or the intestinesfrom the gizzard, before processing with some previous machines, hasbeen eliminated.

In addition, the invention eliminates the criticality of the conditionin which the gizzards are introduced into the harvester. In accordancewith this invention, the gizzards having the stomach and intestinesattached can be pulled from the poultry by unskilled labor, and thegizzard and the attached portions can be randomly fed into theharvesting machine. The processing operation is thereby initiatedwithout the need to be concerned with the initial orientation of thegizzards. Rather, the randomly fed gizzards will be arrangedautomatically into the desired predetermined orientation by theoperation of the harvester.

Many of the features and advantages of the present invention accruebecause complete and accurate control of the gizzards is established atall stages of the operation. At the initial stages of operation of theharvester, the control of the gizzards is accomplished by utilizing thestomach and intestines attached to the gizzards. Once such initialcontrol of the gizzards is obtained, and the gizzards are oriented intoa desired position, the attached stomach and intestines are removed, andthe gizzards are controlled by other means throughout the remainingoperations of the harvester. The subsequent operations function tocompletely open and clean the gizzard; to trim the tender lining fromeach gizzard which remains after the stomach and intestines have beensheared; and to peel the interior membrane or lining from each gizzard.

Briefly described, the advantages and features of the present inventionare provided by a poultry gizzard harvesting apparatus which is adaptedto process gizzards having portions including the stomach and theintestines attached. The use of expensive hand labor is minimizedbecause the gizzards can be removed directly from the poultry anddropped into the machine in a random arrangement. The hand trimming ofstomachs and/or intestines, and the attendant costs and problems, arethereby eliminated. The harvester receives a plurality of the gizzardsand feeds the gizzards into a feeding and aligning station. This feedingand aligning station includes feed roll means for engaging the stomachand the intestines to apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard.The force of the feed roll means arranges each gizzard in an initialorientation, and also transports the gizzard laterally along apredetermined path through the harvester.

After the randomly-fed gizzards are initially oriented by the feed rollmeans, the gizzards are directed to orienting means adjacent the feedrolls means. The orienting means is adapted to engage each gizzardsequentially, and to apply a second orienting force directly to eachgizzard while the feed roll means maintains the first orienting forceapplied through the stomach and intestines. In accordance with thisinvention, the first orienting force applied by the feed roll means, andthe second orienting force applied by the orienting means, cooperate toarrange each gizzard into a preselected position for further processing.

The harvester pursuant to this invention also includes means forsecuring each gizzard in the preselected position while the gizzard isconveyed along a predetermined path within the harvester. Once thegizzards are so secured, a shearing station provided by the harvesterthen functions to simultaneously remove the attached stomach andintestines from each gizzard. The removal of the stomach and intestinesoccurs automatically after the gizzard is secured in this preselectedposition. The shearing station removes the stomach and intestines byshearing closely to the body of the gizzard, to minimize the residualtender lining of the stomach and intestines remaining on the gizzard.After the stomach and intestines are removed, the harvester conveys thegizzard in its preselected position to a slitting station, whereslitting means such as a saw opens each gizzard. Next, spreader meanspositioned adjacent the path of travel of the gizzard open each slitgizzard to expose the interior lining or membrane and the contents ofthe gizzard. Flushing means then flush out the interior of the openedgizzard, to remove the contaminants. Thereafter, the harvester providesshearing means engagable with the edge of each gizzard to remove theresidual tender lining to which the stomach and intestines had beenattached. Such a trimming of the tender lining increases the yield ofthe machine by eliminating the tender lining as a source ofcontamination. Finally, the harvester provides peeler means to engagewith and peel the interior membrane or lining from each gizzard. Thegizzard is then prepared for further processing or consumption.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

Further objects and features of the present invention will becomeapparent from the description of an illustrative embodiment thereof,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an illustrative embodiment of thegizzard harvester in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the initialfeeding and aligning section of the harvester, as viewed along the line2--2 in FIG. 1, showing a gizzard having the intestine and stomachattached and engaged between the in-feed rolls and the orientation drum;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the shearingstation of the harvester, as viewed along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1,showing a gizzard secured in a preselected position between the dualholding and conveying chains and the in-feed rollers, and furthershowing the stomach and intestines bearing sheared away from thegizzard;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged developed cross-sectional view of one in-feedroller taken along the center line of a spiral drive spline provided onthe roller;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the in-feed roller taken along theline 4A--4A in FIG. 4, illustrating the engaged spiral gears provided onthe in-feed rollers;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the slittingstation of the harvester, taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 1, showing agizzard maintained in its preselected position and prepared to engagewith and to be opened by a slitting saw;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of a portion of theslitting station of the harvester, taken along the line 6--6 in FIG. 1,showing a gizzard after being slit by the saw and opened by spreadermeans;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the trimmingand peeling station of the harvester, showing a gizzard in an edge-wiseorientation prepared for trimming of the tender lining therefrom; and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the trimming and peeling station of theharvester, as viewed along the line 8--8 in FIG. 7, showing the peelingand discharge portions of the harvester.

Referring generally to the drawings, the gizzard harvester embodying thefeatures and advantages of the present invention is generally identifiedby the reference numeral 10. As seen in FIG. 1, the harvester 10includes a support frame 11 which defines an initial flush trough 12 anda final flush trough 13. An isolation wall 14 between the troughs 12 and13 isolates the troughs and minimizes the splashing during the operationof the machine 10. The frame 11 includes another isolation wall 15 whichoperates to isolate the slitter and spreader section of the harvester 10from the trimming and peeling section. The flush troughs 12 and 13operate in a conventional manner to collect and discard the wastematerial resulting from the operation of the poultry gizzard harvester10.

As also shown in FIG. 1, the feeding end of the harvester 10 is providedwith a hopper 16 for receiving gizzards and directing the gizzards tothe harvester. In the preferred arrangement, the feed hopper 16 includesside walls 17 and converging bottom walls 18. The bottom walls 18 leadto an inclined discharged chute 19. The hopper 16 is generallysymmetrical about its center line, so that the inclined walls 18 form agenerally triangular hopper leading to the discharged chute 19. Thus,the hopper 16 can be fed by two operators, with one operator stationedat each end of the hopper. By this arrangement, the harvesting machine10 can be positioned in a poultry processing line, and gizzardsincluding the stomachs and intestines can be pulled from the poultry bytwo operators and placed in the hopper 16 in a random arrangement. Theinclined bottom walls 18 of the hopper will direct the randomly arrangedgizzards downwardly to the chute 19, and discharge the gizzards into afeeding and aligning station 20 provided in the harvester 10.

The functions of the station 20 are to orient each gizzard in apredetermined position for further processing and to feed the gizzardsin the proper orientation along a predetermined path. In accordance withthis invention, the attached portions of the gizzard, including thestomach and intestines, are utilized to orient the gizzard initially inthe station 20. After the proper orientation is established, eachgizzard is then secured in its preselected position. Then, with thegizzard so secured, the stomach and intestines are sheared from thegizzard substantially simultaneously, and are discarded by gravity intothe flush trough 12.

More specifically, the feeding and aligning station 20 includes a pairof parallel in-feed rollers 21, 22 which are arranged in a transverseposition along the length of the station 20. The roller 21 is the masteror drive roller in the illustrated embodiment, and the roller 22 is theslave or driven roller. Bearing blocks 23, 24 rotatably support thein-feed rollers 21, 22 in the station 20. A suitable chain drive, orother means such as an independent hydraulic drive motor (not shown),can be utilized to drive the master roller 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 and4A, mating spiral gearing 32, 33 provided on the discharge end of therollers 21 and 22, respectively, transmit the drive from the driveroller 21 to the drive roller 22. The rollers 21 and 22 are therebysimultaneously driven at the same speed, in a rotary direction towardeach other. As seen in FIG. 2, the rollers 21 and 22 are also spacedapart a selected distance, to define a space therebetween for receivingthe attached portions including the stomachs S and the intestines I ofthe gizzards G which are randomly directed toward the station 20 by thehopper 16.

The rotating in-feed rollers 21 and 22 function in accordance with thisinvention to draw the attached portions including the stomach S and theintestines I of the gizzards G downwardly between the rollers, tothereby apply an initial orienting force to the gizzard. This initialforce moves the gizzard from its random pattern within the hopper 16 toa position which is generally centrally located over the rollers 21 and22. The rollers 21, 22 also apply a pulling force to the stomach S andintestines I to drive the gizzards G transversely along a predeterminedpath within the station 20. Splash plates 36 and 37, as shown in FIG. 2,are mounted on the frame 11 adjacent the rollers 21 and 22,respectively. These plates minimize the splashing of the gizzards G bythe contaminated liquid flowing in the flush trough 12. The plates 36and 37 also prevent the stomach S and intestines I from wrapping aroundthe rollers 21, 22.

To perform these functions, the in-feed roller 21 is provided withspiral transfer splines 26 which extend substantially throughout thelength of the roller. Similarly, the mating roller 22 includes identicalspiral transfer splines 28. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the splines 26,28 are arranged to be in alignment with each other as the rollers 21, 22rotate toward each other. Furthermore, the rollers 21 and 22 arepositioned to provide a selected spacing between the splines 26 and 28during the operation of the rollers, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thesplines therefore engage with the stomach S and the intestines I of thegizzard G, as shown in FIG. 2, to pull the stomach and intestinesdownwardly between the rollers 21, 22. This pulling action orients thegizzard G in the initial central orientation illustrated in FIG. 2. Thespiral configuration of these splines 26, 28 simultaneously applies atransverse component of force to the gizzard G through the stomach S andintestines I. Hence, the rollers 21, 22 apply a transverse forcecomponent and a downward force component to each gizzard G to arrangethe gizzard in its initial position while transporting the gizzardlaterally within the station 20.

The preferred form of rollers 21 and 22 also include mating recesseswhich facilitate the feeding of the stomach S and intestines I of eachgizzard G downwardly between the rollers 21 and 22, into the positionshown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. In this regard, the spiral transfersplines 26 on the roller 21 are provided with transversely spacedscallops 27. Similar scallops 29 are provided on the spiral transfersplines 28 of the mating roller 22. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, thescallops 27, 29 are spaced uniformly along the associated splines, andare positioned on the rollers 21, 22 to be in direct alignment as therollers rotate. The mating scallops 27, 29 thereby provide anenlargement of the space between the rollers 21, 22, to facilitate thefeeding of the stomach S and intestines I therebetween.

In the same regard, the rollers 21, 22 also include spaced transferslots 30 and 31, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transferslots 31, 32 are also arranged on the periphery of the rollers 21, 22 tobe in mating alignment as the rollers rotate and are also uniformlypositioned along the length of each roller 21, 22. The slots 30, 31thereby cooperate with the scallops 27 and 29 to define openings whichfurther enlarge the space between the rollers 21 and 22 and facilitatethe feeding of the intestines I and the stomach S downwardly between therollers. The relative size and position of the scallops and slots oneach roller is illustrated schematically by the developed view of theroller 21 in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, an enlarged roller 21 is sectioned alongthe center line of a spline 26, to illustrate the configuration of thescallops 27 and the slots 30.

As noted above, and as illustrated in FIG. 4A, the discharge end of thein-feed rollers 21, 22 include mating spiral gear teeth 32 and 33,respectively. These gear teeth function to transmit the driving force ofthe roller 21 to the driven roller 22. The spiral gear teeth 32, 33 alsooperate as a secondary or back-up shearing system for removing thestomach S and intestines I from the gizzards 20. In accordance with thisinvention, the primary system for shearing the stomachs S and intestinesI from the gizzards is by the operation of spiral shearing blades 34 and35 provided on the discharge end of rollers 21 and 22, respectively. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the spiral shearing blades 34, 35 matetogether in a scissors-like relationship, as the rollers 21 and 22rotate during the operation of the harvester 10. The blades 34, 35 areformed by cutting away a portion 38 of the spiral gear teeth 32, 33 onthe rollers 21 and 22 except for the spiral blades 34, 35. In theillustrated embodiment, as noted in FIG. 3, the cut away 38 is designedto leave three uniformly spaced shearing blades 34 on the roller 21, andthree uniformly spaced and mating shearing blades 35 on the matingroller 22. In normal operation, the blades 34, 35 will perform thecomplete shearing operations. The teeth 32, 33 perform shearingfunctions only if the blades 34, 35 have been broken or dulledsubstantially.

The shearing blades 34 and 35 are arranged to shear the stomach andintestine S, I from the gizzard G as close as practical to the body ofthe gizzard G. Nevertheless, because of the variations in the size ofgizzards and the variance in the location of the stomachs S and I duringthe orientation of the gizzards in the machine, the complete removal ofthe stomach and intestines may not occur as a result of the operation ofthe shears 34, 35. A minor residue of the tender lining, identified asthe nib N in FIG. 7, usually remains on the gizzard G after the stomachS and intestines I have been sheared. In accordance with this invention,the nib N, representing the remainder of the tender lining on thegizzard, is trimmed off at a subsequent operating station in theharvester 10.

Since the position of the gizzards G is controlled by the stomach S andintestines I as a result of the operation of the rollers 21 and 22, itis important to align each of the gizzards in a predetermined positionfor further processing, and to secure the gizzards in that predeterminedposition, before the stomachs and intestines are sheared by the shearingblades 34 and 35. The harvester 10 therefore includes an orientationsystem for cooperation with the feed rollers 21 and 22 to apply anadditional orientation or alignment force to each gizzard at the feedingand aligning station 20.

In the illustrative embodiment, this aligning system comprises anorientation drum 40 positioned on the harvester 10 at the station 20. Asshown in FIG. 1, the orientation drum 40 is spaced a predetermineddistance from the rollers 21, 22, and is adapted to receive the gizzardsG between the rollers and the drum. As shown in FIG. 2, the drum 40 isrotatably supported on a drum axle 41 which is pivotally mounted on theframe 11. A slide bearing 44 and a counterweight 45 operate through theshaft 41 to provide the drum 40 with a floating support. The drum 40 isthus counter balanced to float above the rollers 21, 22 to accommodategizzards G of different sizes and configurations. The drum 40 is drivenat a selected speed by the shaft 41 and a suitable drive means (notshown). In the illustrated embodiment, the drum 40 is driven at aconstant speed coordinated with the speed of the in-feed rollers 21, 22.

To perform its orientation functions, the orientation wheel 40 includesa plurality of peripheral recesses or pockets 42. In the illustratedembodiment there are four pockets 42 uniformly spaced at 90 degreepositions around the periphery of the drum 40. As shown in FIG. 2, eachpocket 42 is formed by a concave recess provided in the periphery of thedrum 40. In the preferred arrangement, the recesses are formed to haveconverging side surfaces so that a concave opening is defined by eachpocket 42 above the feed rollers 21 and 22. It has been found that asuitable pocket 42 for receiving gizzards is formed when the convergingsurfaces of the pocket 42 are arranged at an angle of approximately 15degrees from the plane of the rollers 21, 22. As a result, as shown inFIG. 2, each pocket 42 forms a concave, generally V-shaped opening onthe surface of the drum 42.

By this arrangement the pockets 42 can sequentially engage with thegizzards to directly apply a second orientation force to each gizzard.This second orientation force complements the forces being applied tothe gizzard G through the stomach S and intestines I by means of thefeed rollers 21, 22. As seen in FIG. 2, these orientation forces causedby the drum 40 and the roller 21, 22 cooperate to orient the gizzard Ginto a predetermined position at the station 20, in generally centralalignment with the rollers 21 and 22.

In the operation of the drum 40, when a pocket 42 is positioned adjacentthe rollers 21, 22, the above-described orientation force is applied,and the pocket 42 provides an opening through which the gizzard G can betransported down the path of travel in the station 20. The portions ofthe drum 40 between the pockets 42 do not provide such an opening abovethe rollers 21 and 22, and will operate to retard the movement ofadjacent gizzards G through the station 20. Hence, the orientation wheel40 performs a timing function as well as an orientation function. Thetiming function results in the timed motion of the gizzards G past thedrum 40, and a relatively uniform transverse spacing of the gizzards Galong the in-feed rollers 21 and 22.

To assist this timing function, the drum 40 preferably includes timingprojections 43 positioned on the drum periphery between each of thepockets 42. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, these projections 43 willpositively engage each gizzard G, and assist in positioning the gizzardsin the pockets 42, and in moving the gizzards transversely through thepockets 42 and past the drum 40 on the rollers 21, 22. As a result, thegizzards G are oriented in a predetermined position for furtherprocessing, and are spaced in a generally uniform transverse pattern bythe operation of the drum 40. The chances that the high-speed operationof the harvester 10 will be jeopardized by a malfunction due to themisalignment of a gizzard, or to the crowding or bunching of gizzardsalong the processing path, are substantially reduced by thisarrangement.

The harvester 10 in accordance with this invention also includes movableconveyor means to secure each gizzard G sequentially in itspredetermined orientation established by the operation of the in-feedrollers 21, 22 and the orientation drum 40. In this regard, theharvester 10 includes a central shearing section 50 which includes adual conveyor chain arrangement comprising chains 51, 53. Drivesprockets 52 and 54, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, drive the dual chains51, 53 at a uniform preselected speed. Guide plates, such as plate 56shown in FIG. 1, extend transversely through the station 50 to controlthe path of travel of the chains 51, 53 during the operation of theharvester 10. The chain 51 includes uniformly spaced flights orprojections 57, and the chain 53 includes similarly speed flights orprojections 58. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the projections 57 and 58 onthe chains 51, 53 firmly engage with the gizzard G after the gizzard haspassed the orientation drum 40. To assure that the gizzards G arethereby secured in the desired preselected orientation, the dual chains51 and 53 are spaced above the discharge end of the in-feed rollers 21and 22, and extend to a position closely adjacent the orientation wheel40, as shown in FIG. 1. The mounting of the drive sprockets 52 and 54can be a suitable floating type mounting (not shown) which permits thedual chains 51, 53 to float above the rollers 21 and 22. Thisarrangement allows the chains 51, 53 to accommodate for gizzards ofvarying sizes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement of the dual chains 51, 53 isselected so the chains engage with the gizzards G before the chains arein contact with the spiral shearing blades 34 and 35 provided at theshearing station 50. Accordingly, the gizzards G will be secured intheir predetermined positions before the stomach S and intestines I aresheared from the gizzards by the operation of the shearing blades 34,35. The sheared stomach S and intestines I will drop by gravity into theflush trough 12, for disposal in a conventional manner. A spray head 60positioned at the shearing station 50 keeps the chains 51, 53 clean andassists in flushing the stomach and intestines into the trough 12. Thespray head 60 also will assist in keeping the meshing gears 32, 33 (seeFIG. 4A), provided at the adjacent end of the feed rollers 21 and 22, inclean condition by preventing the buildup of waste on the gears 32, 33and the shearing blades 34, 35, caused by the shearing operation.

The dual chains 51 and 53, in addition to securing the gizzardsuniformly into a slitting station 70 provided in the harvester 10. Toassist in transferring the gizzard G, from which the stomach andintestines have been removed, into the station 70, the harvester 10includes a pair of parallel transfer bars 59. As shown in FIG. 1, thesebars 59 are spaced below the dual chains 51, 53 and span the spacebetween the station 20 and the station 70. The transfer bars 59 therebycontinue to support the gizzards G in the predetermined position againstthe chain 51 and 53, after the gizzards disengage from the in-feedrollers 21, 22.

The station 70 includes another conveying means in the form of a singletransfer chain 71. As shown in FIG. 1, the chain 71 is an endless chainhaving uniformly spaced flights or projections 72. A drive sprocket 73,and a suitable idler sprocket (not shown) position the chain 71 betweenand below the dual transfer chains 51, 53. The chain 71 is spaced apredetermined distance from the chains 51, 53, in transverse alignmentwith the transfer bar 59. Thus, the gizzards G being transported intothe station 70 by the chains 51, 53 will be transferred by the transferbars 59 directly onto the aligned single transfer chain 71. As shown inFIG. 5, the flights 72 on the transfer chain 71 will engage with thegizzard G, and will cooperate with the flights 58 and 57 on the chains53 and 51 respectively, to firmly secure the gizzard G in apredetermined position in the station 70.

The movement of the chain 71 is coordinated with the movement of thechain 51 and 53 so that the gizzard G will be transported uniformly byall chains into engagement with a slitting saw 75. As shown in FIGS. 5and 6, an upper support rail 74 projects transversely in generalalignment with the chains 51, 53 and engages with the gizzards G. Thesupport rail 74 projects beyond the center line 76 of the saw 75, asillustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 1, and assists in retaining thegizzards G in a predetermined position on the chain 71, even after thegizzards have been disengaged from the chains 51, 53 after the slittingoperation.

The saw blade 75 is rotatably positioned on a drive axle 76, as shown inFIG. 1. The axle 76 in the preferred embodiment is a floating axle, andis counter-balanced or spring biased to maintain the saw 75 in aselected position extending between the dual chains 51, 53. As shown inFIG. 5 and 6, the saw 75 is also spaced a selected distance above thelower single chain 71. Thus, the saw 75 will engage with and slit thegizzards G being conveyed by the chains 51, 53 and 71 through thestation 70. The floating mounting for the saw 75 will permit the saw torise if an exceptionally large gizzard G is transmitted to the saw, orif contaminants such as stones and the like, which are typically foundin gizzards, are engaged by the saw during the slitting operation. Asshown in FIG. 5, the gizzards G are secured in their predeterminedposition during the slitting operation by the firm engagement of thethree chains 51, 53 and 71.

After the slitting operation has been completed, the slit gizzards G areconveyed out of engagement with the dual chains 51 and 53 and intoengagement with a spreader bar 77. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, thespreader bar 77 is extended above the single conveyor chain 71. Further,the spreader bar 77 projects across the axle 76 of the saw 75 intoalignment with the support rail 74. By this arrangement, the spreaderbar 77 will be positioned above the slit gizzards G as the gizzards areconveyed passed the saw 75 by the operation of the chain 71. The bar 77extends into the slit of the gizzard created by the saw 75, and assistsin maintaining the slit gizzard G in firm engagement with the conveyorchain 71 after the slitting operation.

As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the spreader bar 77 includesdownwardly and outwardly projecting spreader members 78. The spreadermembers 78 are positioned to engage with the separated portions of thegizzards G, to fold the portions downwardly into an opened position suchas illustrated in FIG. 1. The gizzards G are thereby completely opened,to expose the internal contents of the gizzards and the interior liningor membrane of the gizzards for further processing. The gizzards G, inthe opened condition, are then conveyed beneath power jet spray nozzles79. The nozzles 79 operate to flush the stones and other contaminantsfrom each gizzard into the flush trough 13. The cleaned and openedgizzards are now prepared for final processing.

The final processing of the gizzards G in harvester 10 occurs at thetrimming and peeling station 80. In accordance with this invention, thisstation 80 performs the functions of trimming the residual tender liningfrom the gizzards G, and then peeling the interior lining or membranefrom the gizzards. The gizzards are hence prepared for consumption, orfor still further processing by other machines. In the illustrativeembodiment, these trimming and peeling functions are performed at thestation 80 by a pair of parallel trimming and peeler rolls 81 and 82.

The trimming and peeling station 80 is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 7and 8. In the illustrated embodiment, a first area or section of thepeeler roll 81 includes spiral peeler splines 83, as illustrated in FIG.8. The mating area of the other peeler roll 82 includes similar spiralpeeler spline 84, which mesh with the splines 83. This section of themating peeler rolls 81, 82 is designed to engage with the interiormembrane of the gizzard G, to peel the membrane from the gizzard anddischarge the membrane into the flush trough 13. A second area orsection of the peeler roll 81 is provided a spiral shearing spline 85,as also shown in FIG. 8. Further, the mating area of the adjacent peelerroll 82 includes a spiral shearing spline 86. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,the splines 85 and 86 engage in a scissor-like manner, and are adaptedto shear the nib portion N of the tender lining which remains on thegizzard G. In the illustrated embodiment the shearing splines 85, 86 areformed by reducing the height of the splines 83, 84 on the rolls 81, 82in the area of the rolls in alignment with the conveyor chain 71. Theheight of the splines 85, 86 is not reduced, so that the splines 85, 86define scissor-like shearing blades for trimming the nib N from thegizzard G.

In order that the shears 85, 86 perform their trimming functionefficiently, the gizzards G should be presented to the mating rolls 81,82 in a selected orientation. Efficient trimming is obtained if, asshown in FIG. 7, the gizzard G is presented in an edge-wise fashion, sothat the portion of the gizzard to which the stomach and intestines hadbeen attached, including the nib N, initially is presented between therolls 81, 82. This orientation of the nib N in this position usuallyoccurs automatically in the harvester 10, since the stomach S andintestines I have been used at the station 20 to initially orient thegizzards G. Thus, when the stomach S and intestines I are trimmed fromthe gizzard G by the shearing blades 34, 35 (see FIG. 3) the nib N ispresented in the proper position for later introduction between therolls 81, 82, as shown in FIG. 7.

The station 80 includes a fluid jet 87 to assist in the edge-wiseorientation of the gizzard G. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the jet 87 is inalignment with the chain 71, and directs a spray of water or othersuitable fluid directly at the gizzard G as it is being directed intothe station 80 by the chain 71. Since the peeler rolls 81, 82 arepositioned below the return bend in the chain 71, the gizzard G ispresented in an edgewise and essentially vertical position to the spacebetween the rollers 81 and 82 as shown in FIG. 7. The fluid jet 87assists in maintaining the gizzard G in that edgewise position duringthe trimming operation. Further, the station 80 includes an alignmenttray 88, positioned in alignment with the chain 71. The tray 88cooperates with the spray 87 to assure that the gizzard G is presentedto the rolls 81, 82 edgewise at a presentation angle of between verticalat approximately 45 degrees from the vertical. It has been found thatthe presentation of the gizzard G to the rolls 81, 82 in this fashion,assures that the tender lining nib N will be trimmed by the shearingblades 85, 86.

After the trimming is completed, the gizzard engages with strippers 89which are positioned on opposite sides of the chain 71. As shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the strippers 89 assist in maintaining the gizzard G inthe proper orientation for the trimming operation, and also strip thegizzard from the chain 71 as the chain continues to be driven on itsreturn leg. After the trimming is completed, the peeler rolls 81 and 82operate to pull the gizzard G downwardly against the spiral peeler teeth83 and 84, and to simultaneously transport the gizzards laterally alongthe peeler rolls. The interior membrane of the gizzard G is therebyremoved by the peeler splines 83 and 84, and discharges into the flushtrough 13. A spray nozzle 92, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, assists inkeeping the peeler rolls 81 and 82 clean during this trimming andpeeling operation. Finally, the trimmed and peeled gizzard G is engagedby a rotary and flexible knocker 90, which propels the gizzard from theharvester 10 by means of the final discharge chute 91.

In view of the above description of the illustrated embodiment of theharvester 10, the features and advantages of the apparatus and processof the present invention will be understood by describing the operationof the harvester in a typical poultry gizzard processing assembly line.In this assembly line, operators will be stationed adjacent hopper 16 totransfer the gizzards from a chicken or other poultry carcass into theharvester 10. Preferably, one operator is positioned at each end of thehopper 16 so that two operators are discharging gizzards includingattached stomachs and intestines into each inclined end of the hopper 16in a random arrangement. The gizzards and attachments are directed bygravity down inclined bottom walls 18 and the chute 19, into the feedingand alignment station 20.

In the station 20, each gizzard G is directed into engagement with therotating surfaces of the in-feed rollers 21, 22. The spiral feedingsplines 26, 28 on the rollers, which are rotating toward each other,feed the stomach S and the intestines I of each gizzard G downwardlybetween the rollers into a position such as shown in FIG. 2. Therecessed scallops 27, 29 on the splines, and the recessed slots 30 and31 on the rollers 21 and 22, assist in feeding the stomach S andintestines I between the rollers. The in-feed rollers 21 and 22 therebyapply an initial orienting force to each gizzard G as it is dischargedfrom the chute 19. This initial orienting force includes a downwardcomponent which holds the gizzard G against the surface of the rollers21 and 22 in a generally central orientation, such as illustrated inFIG. 2. Furthermore, the spiral configuration of the splines 26, 28 adda transverse component to this initial orienting force which functionsto transport the gizzard G along a predetermined path between the roller21 and 22. Thus, the attached portions of the gizzard G including thestomach and the intestines are utilized to apply initial orienting andtransporting force components to each gizzard G.

As the station 20 continues to operate, the gizzards G are transportedlaterally through the station into engagement with the rotatingorientation drum 40. As the gizzard G is engaged by a spaced pocket 42on the drum 40, an opening is created which will permit the gizzard G tocontinue its transverse movement along the path of travel defined by thein-feed rollers 21, 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the concave configuration ofthe pocket 42 assists in further centering the gizzard G above therollers 21 and 22. The drum 40 operates through the pocket 42 to apply asecond orienting force to the gizzard G which positions the gizzard in aselected predetermined position, by cooperating with the forces appliedto the stomach S and intestines I by the rollers 21, 22, as describedabove.

Moreover, the operation of the drum 40 causes the timing projections 43to engage with adjacent gizzards, to retard the movement of the gizzardsG past the drum 40 until a pocket 42 is presented for receipt of thegizzards. In this manner, the drum 40 and the timing projections 43function to time the motion of the gizzards G, so that the gizzards Gbecome generally uniformly spaced in a transverse arrangement during thefurther processing steps of the harvester 10. The plates 36 and 37function to minimize the splashing of the gizzard G by the contaminatedliquid in the flush trough 12, and also operate to minimize the twistingof the stomach S and intestine I around the rollers 21, 22 during theoperation of the harvester.

The orientation drum 40 thus cooperates with the feed rollers 21, 22 toorient the gizzards G in a predetermined position, prepared for furtherprocessing in the harvester 10. The rollers 21, 22 then feed the gizzardin its proper orientation into engagement with the dual chains 51 and43. These chains secure the gizzard in this predetermined orientation.After the gizzards are so secured, continued operation of the rollers 21and 22 cause the shearing blades 34 and 35 to trim the stomach S andintestines I from each gizzard.

Next, the conveyor chains 51 and 53 transfer the gizzards without thestomach and the intestines, into a splitting and spreading station 70.The gizzards G become engaged by the single chain 71, so that they aresupported by a three-point support during the splitting operation. Then,the gizzards are conveyed into engagement with the rotary splitting saw75, and are split open. The support rail 74 and the spreader bar 75cooperate to maintain the gizzard in the proper orientation with respectto the chains 71, 51 and 53 during this operation. Furthermore, thespreader bar 77 also secures the split gizzards on the chain 71. As thegizzards are conveyed from the saw 75, they engage with the spreader barmembers 78, to be spread open for flushing. The flush nozzle 79 thenoperates to cleanse each gizzard as it is conveyed by the chain 71 tothe trimming and peeling station 80.

At the peeling and trimming station 80, the gizzards are directed aroundthe return bend of the chain 71, so that they are presented in agenerally vertical edgewise position which orients the tender lining nibN between the rolls 81 and 82. The shearing blades 85, 86 on the rollsthen trim the nib N from the gizzard. The fluid jet 87 and the alignmenttray 88 assist in maintaining the gizzard G in the proper orientationduring this trimming operation. The continued operation of the chain 71then directs the gizzard against the strippers 89, which remove thegizzard from the chain 71. The free gizzard G is then drawn downwardlyby the operation of the rolls 81 and 82, so that the interior lining ormembrane of the gizzard comes into contact with the peeler splines 83and 84 on the rolls 81, 82. The interior membrane is thereby peeled awayfrom the gizzard, as the gizzard is transported laterally through thestation 80. Finally, the trimmed, peeled and cleaned gizzard is engagedby the knocker 90 and directed down the discharge chute 91. Theoperation of the harvester 10 is thus completed.

Although the invention has been described above with a certain degree ofparticularly with respect to the apparatus and the method for processingpoultry gizzards, it should be understood that this disclosure has beenmade only by way of example. Consequently, numerous changes in thedetails of construction and in the combination and arrangement of thecomponents, as well as in the possible modes of utilization and methodsof operation, will be apparent to those familiar with the art and may beresorted to without departing from the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. In the processing of gizzards from poultry usinga gizzard processing apparatus, the improvement for feeding andpositioning the gizzards for slitting comprising the steps of:detachingthe gizzards from the poultry with portions including the stomachsattached and directing the gizzards and portions toward a processingstation; applying an initial orienting force to each gizzard at theprocessing station through the attached portions to move the gizzardinto an initial predetermined orientation; applying a second orientingforce directly to each gizzard while maintaining said first forceapplied to said attached portions to thereby move the gizzard into asecond predetermined orientation relative to and while maintaining saidinitial orientation so that said first and second forces cooperate toorient the gizzard into a selected position in preparation for furtherprocessing; securing each gizzard in said selected position; andthereafter removing said portions including the stomach from thegizzard.
 2. In the processing of gizzards from poultry using a gizzardprocessing apparatus, the improvement for feeding and positioning thegizzards comprising the steps of:detaching the gizzards from the poultrywith portions including the stomachs attached; directing a plurality ofsaid gizzards in a random arrangement toward a processing station insaid apparatus; applying an initial orienting force to each gizzard atthe processing station through the portions attached to the gizzard toarrange each gizzard in an initial predetermined orientation and moveeach gizzard transversely in said processing station; applying a secondorienting force directly to each gizzard while said first force ismaintained and the gizzard is moving transversely in said processingstation to thereby move the gizzard into a second predeterminedorientation relative to and while maintaining said initial orientationso that said first and second forces cooperate to orient each gizzardinto a selected position in preparation for further processing; spacingadjacent gizzards transversely in said processing station so that theplurality of gizzards move through said station sequentially in apredetermined pattern while oriented in said selected position; securingeach gizzard sequentially in said selected position; and thereaftersequentially removing said portions including the stomach from eachgizzard.
 3. The process in accordance with claim 1 or 2 wherein saidportions attached to said gizzard includes the stomach and intestines.4. The process in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first and secondforces are applied as said gizzard is transported transversely throughsaid processing station and said stomachs and intestines are removedsubstantially simultaneously.
 5. The process in accordance with claim 1or 2 wherein said initial orienting force includes generally downwardand transverse pulling force components applied to said attachedportions to initially orient the gizzard while simultaneouslytransporting the gizzards through the processing station.
 6. The processin accordance with claim 5 wherein feeding means is provided by saidapparatus and engages with said gizzard and gizzard portions to applysaid generally downward and transverse initial orienting forcecomponents and move said gizzard into an initial orientationapproximately centered with respect to said feeding means.
 7. Theprocess in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second orienting forceis applied directly to said gizzard in a generally downward direction assaid gizzard is transported in the processing station to complement saiddownward and transverse components of said first orienting force.
 8. Theprocess in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second orienting forceis applied directly to said gizzard by orienting means provided on saidapparatus adjacent said feeding means so that said second force hasdownward and transverse force components which cooperate with saidinitial orienting force to orient the gizzard in a centered positionwith respect to said feeding means.
 9. The process in accordance withclaim 2 wherein said spacing of adjacent gizzards results from theapplication of a timed force to each gizzard as the adjacent gizzardsmove transversely in said processing station.
 10. The process inaccordance with claim 1 or 2 further including the steps of sequentiallyslitting each gizzard; opening and cleaning the interior of eachgizzard; trimming from each gizzard remaining attached portions; andpeeling the lining from the interior of each gizzard.
 11. In a poultrygizzard harvesting apparatus the improvement comprising a feeding andaligning station for processing a plurality of gizzards having portionsincluding the stomach attached, said station comprising:means fordirecting a plurality of said gizzards to said station in a randomarrangement; feed roll means for engaging the attached portions of eachof said gizzards to apply an initial orienting force to each gizzardwhich moves the gizzards from a random arrangement into an initialpredetermined orientation, said feed roll means being further adapted totransport each gizzard within said station; orienting means adjacent toand independent of said feed roll means and adapted to engage eachgizzard and apply a second orienting force thereto while the feed rollmeans maintains said first orienting force and moves the gizzards insaid station to thereby move the gizzard into a second predeterminedorientation relative to and while maintaining said initial orientation,said orienting means and feed roll means cooperating to orient eachgizzard into a preselected position within said station in preparationfor further processing; means for securing each gizzard in saidpreselected position; and means for removing said portions including thestomach from each gizzard after each gizzard is secured in saidpreselected position.
 12. The harvesting apparatus in accordance withclaim 11 wherein said feed roll means includes an elongate feed rollarranged transversely within said station and having teeth which engagewith the attached portions of each gizzard as said roll means rotates insaid station to apply generally downward and transverse force componentsthereto and initially orient each gizzard while transporting eachgizzard transversely within said station.
 13. The harvesting apparatusin accordance with claim 12 wherein said feed roll means includes a pairof elongate feed rolls arranged transversely within said station in aparallel arrangement and wherein each roll includes spiral teeth whichengage with and pull the attached portions of each gizzard between saidrolls and apply said downward and transverse force components thereto.14. The harvesting apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein saidrolls are rotatable in unison toward each other to thereby apply saidforce components to each gizzard.
 15. The harvesting apparatus inaccordance with claim 12 or 13 wherein said feed roll means includes aplurality of recesses spaced transversely along the periphery of saidroll means to facilitate the extension of said attached portions of eachgizzard between said feed roll means.
 16. The harvesting apparatus inaccordance with claim 15 wherein said feed roll means further includestransversely spaced openings provided in said teeth on said roll meansto further facilitate the extension of said attached portions betweensaid feed roll means.
 17. The harvesting apparatus in accordance withclaim 13 wherein each of said feed rolls includes a plurality ofrecesses spaced transversely along the periphery to facilitate theextension of said attached portions of each gizzard between said feedrolls.
 18. In a poultry gizzard harvesting apparatus the improvementcomprising a feeding and aligning station for processing a plurality ofgizzards having portions including the stomach attached, said stationcomprising:means for directing a plurality of said gizzards to saidstation in a random arrangement; a pair of elongate feed rolls arrangedtransversely within said station in a parallel arrangement for engagingthe attached portions of each of said gizzards to apply an initialorienting force to each gizzard which moves the gizzards from a randomarrangement into an initial predetermined orientation and fortransporting each gizzard within said station, each feed roll includingspiral teeth which engage with and pull the attached portions of eachgizzard between said rolls and apply generally downward and transverseforce components thereto and initially orient each gizzard whiletransporting each gizzard transversely within said station, each feedroll further including a plurality of recesses spaced transversely alongthe periphery to facilitate the extension of said attached portions ofeach gizzard between said feed rolls, the recesses on one roll beingopposed to the recess on the other roll as said rolls rotate to therebyincrease the space between the rolls; orienting means adjacent said feedroll means and adapted to engage each gizzard and apply a secondorienting force thereto while the feed roll means maintains said firstorienting force and moves the gizzards in said station, said orientingmeans and feed roll means cooperating to orient each gizzard into apreselected position within said station in preparation for furtherprocessing; means for securing each gizzard in said preselectedposition; and means for removing said portions including the stomachfrom each gizzard after each gizzard is secured in said preselectedposition.
 19. The harvesting mechanism in accordance with claim 18wherein said feed rolls further include transversely spaced openingsprovided in the spiral teeth on each roll, with the openings in theteeth on one roll arranged to be opposed to the openings in the teeth onthe other roll as said rolls rotate so that said openings therebyincrease the space between the feed rolls to facilitate the extension ofthe attached portions of said gizzards between the rolls.
 20. Theharvesting apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means forremoving said portions form said gizzards comprises mating spiralshearing blades operably joined to said feed rolls and rotatabletherewith to shear said attached portions from each gizzard after saidrolls have fed each gizzard through said station into said preselectedposition.
 21. In a poultry gizzard harvesting apparatus the improvementcomprising a feeding and aligning station for processing a plurality ofgizzards having portions including the stomach attached, said stationcomprising:means for directing a plurality of said gizzards to saidstation in a random arrangement; feed roll means for engaging theattached portions of each of said gizzards to apply an initial orientingforce to each gizzard which moves the gizzards from a random arrangementinto an initial predetermined orientation, said feed roll means beingfurther adapted to transport each gizzard within said station; orientingmeans adjacent said feed roll means and adapted to engage each gizzardand apply a second orienting force thereto while the feed roll meansmaintains said first orienting force and moves the gizzards in saidstation, said orienting means and feed roll means cooperating to orienteach gizzard into a preselected position within said station inpreparation for further processing, said orienting means comprising amovable member positioned adjacent said feed roll means and including anorienting portion movable into engagement with a gizzard to apply saidsecond orienting force thereto and further including a retarding portionmovable into position with respect to said feed roll means totemporarily retard the movement of an adjacent gizzard being movedwithin said station by said feed roll means; means for securing eachgizzard in said preselected position; and means for removing saidportions including the stomach from each gizzard after each gizzard issecured in said preselected position.
 22. A harvesting apparatus inaccordance with claim 11 wherein said orienting means comprises amovable member positioned adjacent said feed roll means and having aplurality of spaced orienting portions sequentially movable intoengagement with the gizzards being moved in said station by said feedroll means to thereby apply said second orienting force to each gizzard23. A harvesting apparatus in accordance with claim 22 wherein saidorienting means comprises a rotatable member having a periphery spaced aselected distance from said feed roll means and defining said spacedorienting portions.
 24. A harvesting apparatus in accordance with claim23 wherein said orienting portions comprise recessed pockets uniformlyspaced around the periphery of said rotatable member and adapted toreceive a gizzard and apply said second orienting force thereto as eachpocket rotates into a position adjacent said feed roll means.
 25. In apoultry gizzard harvesting apparatus the improvement comprising afeeding and aligning station for processing a plurality of gizzardshaving portions including the stomach attached, said stationcomprising:means for directing a plurality of said gizzards to saidstation in a random arrangement; feed roll means for engaging theattached portions of each of said gizzards to apply an initial orientingforce to each gizzard which moves the gizzards from a random arrangementinto an initial predetermined orientation, said feed roll means beingfurther adapted to transport each gizzard within said station; orientingmeans adjacent said feed roll means and adapted to engage each gizzardand apply a second orienting force thereto while the feed roll meansmaintains said first orienting force and moves the gizzards in saidstation, said orienting means and feed roll means cooperating to orienteach gizzard into a preselected position within said station inpreparation for further processing, said orienting means comprising arotatable member having a periphery spaced a selected distance from saidfeed roll means and including recessed pockets uniformly spaced aroundthe periphery thereof and adapted to receive a gizzard and apply saidsecond orienting force thereto as each pocket rotates into a positionadjacent said feed roll means, and retarding portion spaced around saidperiphery between said recessed pockets and movable into position withrespect to said feed roll means as said member rotates to temporarilyretard the movement of said gizzards by said feed roll means to therebycontrol the transverse spacing of said gizzards in said station; meansfor securing each gizzard in said preselected position; and means forremoving said portions including the stomach from each gizzard aftereach gizzard is secured in said preselected position.
 26. A harvestingapparatus in accordance with claim 25 wherein said retarding portionsinclude projections extending outwardly from the periphery of saidrotatable member between said spaced pockets and adapted to engage withand retard the gizzards being moved transversely by said feed rollmeans.
 27. In a poultry gizzard harvesting apparatus the improvementcomprising a feeding and aligning station for processing a plurality ofgizzards having portions including the stomach attached, said stationcomprising:means for directing a plurality of said gizzards to saidstation in a random arrangement; feed roll means for engaging theattached portions of each of said gizzards to apply an initial orientingforce to each gizzard which moves the gizzards from a random arrangementinto an initial predetermined orientation, said feed roll means beingfurther adapted to transport each gizzard within said station; orientingmeans adjacent said feed roll means and adapted to engage each gizzardand apply a second orienting force thereto while the feed roll meansmaintains said first orienting force and moves the gizzards in saidstation, said orienting means and feed roll means cooperating to orienteach gizzard into a preselected position within said station inpreparation for further processing, said orienting means including arotatable member having a periphery spaced a selected distance from saidfeed roll means and including recessed pockets uniformly spaced aroundthe periphery of said rotatable member and adapted to receive a gizzardand apply said second orienting force thereto as each pocket rotatesinto a position adjacent said feed roll means, said recessed pocketsbeing generally V-shaped in configuration to provide a generallyV-shaped transverse opening for receiving said gizzards as said pocketsrotate into position adjacent said feed roll mean; means for securingeach gizzard in said preselected position; and means for removing saidportions including the stomach from each gizzard after each gizzard issecured in said preselected position.
 28. A harvesting apparatus inaccordance with claim 27 wherein said recessed pockets include surfacesthat converge in a direction away from said feed roll means and whichform an angle with respect to the plane of said feed roll means ofapproximately 15 degrees to thereby form said V-shaped configuration.29. A harvesting apparatus in accordance with claim 11 wherein saidmeans to secure each gizzard in said preselected position comprisessecuring means spaced adjacent said feed roll means and movable intoengagement with each gizzard after each gizzard is located in saidpreselected position by said orienting means and before the operation ofsaid means for removing the attached portions from each gizzard.
 30. Aharvesting apparatus in accordance with claim 29 wherein said securingmeans comprises conveyor means engagable with each gizzard to retain thegizzards in said preselected position as said gizzard moves through saidstation and the attached portions are removed.
 31. A harvestingapparatus in accordance with claim 30 wherein said means for removingsaid portions from said gizzards comprise shearing means which shearssaid attached portions substantially simultaneously, and further whereinsaid conveyor means comprises dual conveyor chains positioned adjacentsaid shearing means and adapted for engagement with said gizzards beforesaid shearing is completed.
 32. In a poultry gizzard processingapparatus the improvement comprising a station for receiving a pluralityof gizzards and feeding and aligning each gizzard into a predeterminedposition for further processing comprising:means for directing aplurality of gizzards to said station; feed roll means adapted to engageeach gizzard to apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard andtransport each gizzard through said station; and orienting meansindependent of and positioned adjacent said feed roll means and adaptedto apply a second orienting force to each gizzard while said feed rollmeans transports each gizzard in said station and maintains said firstorienting force to thereby move the gizzard into a second predeterminedorientation relative to and while maintaining said initial orientation,whereby said feed roll means and orienting means orient said gizzardsinto said predetermined position for further processing.
 33. A gizzardprocessing apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said gizzardshave portions including the stomach attached and said feed roll means isadapted to engage with said stomachs to apply said initial orientingforce to each gizzard and transport each gizzard through said station.34. A gizzard processing apparatus in accordance with claim 33 whereinsaid gizzards have portions including the stomach and intestinesattached and said feed roll means is adapted to engage with saidstomachs and intestines to apply said initial orienting force to eachgizzard and transport each gizzard through said station.
 35. A gizzardprocessing apparatus in accordance with claim 32 wherein said orientingmeans comprises a rotatable member positioned adjacent said feed rollmeans and engagable with each gizzard to apply said second orientingforce thereto.
 36. A gizzard processing apparatus in accordance withclaim 35 wherein said rotatable member comprises a wheel member havingspaced peripheral pockets for receiving said gizzards and applying saidsecond orienting force thereto.
 37. In a poultry gizzard processingapparatus the improvement comprising a station for receiving a pluralityof gizzards having portions including the stomach and intestinesattached and for feeding and aligning each gizzard into a predeterminedposition for further processing, comprising:means for directing aplurality of gizzards to said station; feed roll means adapted to engagewith said stomachs and intestines of each gizzard to apply an initialorienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard through saidstation; and orienting means positioned adjacent said feed roll meansand adapted to apply a second orienting force to each gizzard while saidfeed roll means transports each gizzard in said station and maintainssaid initial orienting force, whereby said feed roll means and orientingmeans orient said gizzards into said predetermined position for furtherprocessing, said orienting means including a rotatable wheel memberhaing spaced pockets of concave configuration to form an openingadjacent said feed roll means for receiving said gizzards and applyingsaid second orienting force thereto.
 38. A gizzard processing apparatusin accordance with claim 37 wherein said pockets are generally V-shapedin configuration and include surfaces which converge away from said feedroll means at a selected angle with respect to the plane of said feedroll means.
 39. A gizzard processing apparatus in accordance with claim38 wherein said selected angle is approximately 15 degrees.
 40. Apoultry gizzard harvester for processing gizzards having portionsincluding the stomach and intestines attached, said harvestercomprising:means for directing a plurality of gizzards to said apparatusin a random arrangement; feed roll means for engaging the attachedportions of each gizzard to apply an initial orienting force to eachgizzard and transport said gizzard along a predetermined path; orientingmeans adjacent to and independent of said feed roll means adapted toengage each gizzard and apply a second orienting force thereto while thefeed roll means maintains said first orienting force to thereby move thegizzard into a second predetermined orientation relative to and whilemaintaining said initial orientation so that said first and secondforces cooperate to orient each gizzard into a preselected position;means for securing each gizzard in said preselected position whileconveying said gizzards along said predetermined path; means to removesaid portions including the stomach and intestines from the tendinglining of each gizzard after each gizzard is secured in said preselectedposition; means engageable with each gizzard to slit each gizzard openas said gizzards are conveyed along said path secured in saidpreselected position; spreader means positioned adjacent said path oftravel to open each slit gizzard and expose the interior menbranethereof; means to cleanse the interior of each opened gizzard; shearingmeans engageable with the edge portion of each gizzard to which thetender lining is attached as said gizzards are conveyed along said pathto shear the residual tender lining from said gizzard; and peeler meansto peel the interior membrane from each opened gizzard.
 41. In a poultrygizzard harvesting apparatus the improvement comprising a feeding andaligning station for processing a plurality of gizzards having portionsincluding the stomach attached, said station comprising:means fordirecting a plurality of said gizzards to said station in a randomarrangement; a pair of elongate feed rolls arranged transversely withinsaid station in a parallel arrangement for engaging the attachedportions of each of said gizzards to apply an initial opening force toeach gizzard which moves the gizzards from a random arrangement into aninitial predetermined orientation and for transporting each gizzardwithin said station, each feed roll including spiral teeth which engagewith and pull the attached portions of each gizzard between said rollsand apply generally downward and transverse force components thereto andinitially orient each gizzard while transporting each gizzardtransversely within said station, each feed roll further including aplurality of recesses spaced transversely along the periphery tofacilitate the extension of said attached portions of each gizzardbetween said feed rolls, said feed rolls including transversely spacedopenings provided in the spiral teeth on each roll with the openings inthe teeth on one roll arranged to oppose the openings in the teeth onthe other roll as said rolls rotate so that said openings therebyincrease the space between the feed rolls to facilitate the extension ofthe attached portions of said gizzards between the rolls; orientingmeans adjacent said feed roll means and adapted to engage each gizzardand apply a second orienting force thereto while the feed roll meansmaintains said first orienting force and moves the gizzards in saidstation, said orienting means and feed roll means cooperating to orienteach gizzard into a preselected position within said station inpreparation for further processing; means for securing each gizzard insaid preselected position; and means for removing said portionsincluding the stomach from each gizzard after each gizzard is secured insaid preselected position.
 42. In a poultry gizzard processing apparatusthe improvement comprising a station for receiving a plurality ofgizzards having portions including the stomach and intestines attachedand for feeding and aligning each gizzard into a predetermined positionfor further processing, comprising:means for directing a plurality ofgizzards to said station; feed roll means adapted to engage with saidstomachs and intestines of each gizzard to apply an initial orientingforce to each gizzard and transport each gizzard through said station;and orienting means positioned adjacent said feed roll means and adaptedto apply a second orienting force to each gizzard while said feed rollmeans transports each gizzard in said station and maintains said initialorienting force, whereby said feed roll means and orienting means orientsaid gizzards into said predetermined position for further processing,said orienting means including a rotatable wheel member having spacedperipheral pockets for receiving said gizzards and applying said secondorienting force thereto, said rotatable wheel member further includingretarding means positioned on the periphery between said pockets toengage with and temporarily retard the movement of each gizzard, so thatsaid rotatable member orients said gizzards and times the movement ofsaid gizzards through said station.